Help Emily get to Aspiring Leaders Forum 2021

Tēnā koutou,

I am lucky enough to be one of the selected few for The Aspiring Leaders’ Forum held in Wellington in July this year. The purpose of the Forum is to inspire young people to a life of leadership based on a commitment to serve others. To attend the forum I am required to pay $1500. I am looking for small donations, however I am also aware asking for 'free' money is a big ask. If you would like to donate but need something from me i.e mowing your lawns, chopping firewood, gardening etc, then let me know because I would be happy to help out! (Preferably in the Waikato region).

Below I explain in a little more detail what the Forum offers to young leaders of Aotearoa New Zealand and also why I would benefit from attending.

The Aspiring Leaders Forum is an annual event that brings together a diverse group of young leaders from across Aotearoa New Zealand to discuss leadership from a narrative point of view. The philosophy of the Forum is that serving others is the best foundation for meaningful lives, healthy communities and leadership. The Forum aims to explore the personal character foundations of integrity, humility, commitment, courage and aroha - all of which enable us to live for something greater than self-interest.

There are many reasons I would benefit from attending this Forum. One major reason is that I am interested to learn more about servant leadership as I believe this will have major benefits to my career as a teacher, alongside supporting self-development and understanding. I have been a primary school teacher at Hamilton East School for 4 years now. I believe as a teacher I have the opportunity to help shape the lives of many young people. My desire for each child that comes through my classroom is that they are curious and have a strong sense of identity and self. It is so important to me to create life-long learners as we all continue to grow, change and learn long after we leave school. I want to better understand how to encourage our young people to use their strengths to enable them to have their own success and be leaders not only at the front but also from behind. I believe children should feel proud about who they are, where they have come from and feel confident to be the leaders they look up too.

I really appreciate you taking the time to read my request and understand that it is a big ask. If you would like to support me by making a small donation that would be greatly appreciated.